Laparoscopic treatment of symptomatic cysts of the liver.
BACKGROUND
Reports of successful treatment of liver cysts by the laparoscopic approach prompted the use of this technique in a series of patients.


METHODS
Ten patients with symptomatic liver cysts were treated by the laparoscopic deroofing technique. Eight patients had one solitary cyst, one had two cysts and the remaining patient had polycystic disease with a giant cyst. Hydatid disease was excluded serologically and radiologically but albendazole was used before operation in six cases because hydatid disease is endemic in Argentina.


RESULTS
There was no surgical morbidity or death. For between 6 months and 3 years all patients were asymptomatic. Computed tomography showed recurrence of a cyst in one patient, who was successfully reoperated on laparoscopically.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic fenestration of either solitary or multiple liver cysts is the treatment of choice. It produces minimal surgical trauma, shorter hospital stay and avoids the morbidity of laparotomy. Reduced postoperative adhesions allows repeated procedures if the condition recurs.
Diez
J
J
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Decoud
J
J
Gutierrez
L
L
Suhl
A
A
Merello
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003560:Cysts / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed